Ireland Wins Norway Nations Cup After Tight Finish – Flynn Takes Grand Prix

Ireland was triumphant on the last day (Sunday) of the four-star show in Drammen, Norway, with victory in both the Norway Nations' Cup and the Drammen Grand Prix.

In a tightly-fought finish, Ireland shared first place in the Nations' Cup with Norway, both teams finishing on eight faults. But Team Manager Robert Splaine sent Malahide-based Conor Swail out to do battle on 'Rivaal' against Norway's Geir Gulliksen on 'L'Espoir' to decide the outright winner, and Swail jumped clear, while Gulliksen had one fence down, giving Ireland the trophy.

Meanwhile, due to heavy rain on Saturday, the Norway Grand Prix was decided by a jump-off of all riders who had scored a double clear round in the Nations' Cup today. This left Ireland's Comdt. Gerry Flynn and the Irish-bred 'Mo Chroi' competing against Norway's Stein Endresen and the Netherlands's Henk van de Pol, but once again the Irish rider proved too good for the opposition, jumping clear in the fastest time.

Afterwards Team manager Robert Splaine said: '' It was a great day for Ireland – we had first and second in the speed class this morning, we won the Nations' Cup, and then we won the Grand Prix. There was a great team spirit, and I have to say it is a pleasure to work with these lads, they are of the highest calibre, and today it certainly showed.''

Results (24.06.07)

CSIO4* – Nations Cup – Drammen

1) Ireland 8 faults (won after the jump-off)
Jor de L´Elnon; Paul O´Shea 12/-
River Foyle; Capt. Shane Carey 0/4
Rivaal; Conor Swail 0/4/0 (Jump Off Rider)
Mo Chroi; Comdt. Gerry Flynn 0/0

2) Norway – 8 faults
3) Denmark – 16
4) Holland – 17
=5) Germany – 20
=5) Sweden – 20
7) Italy – 30
8) USA – 44

Grande Prémio Volvo Penta – 1,60m

1) Mo Chroi; Comdt. Gerry Flynn (IRL) – 0 / 0 / 0 – 31.92s
2) Le Beau; Stein Endresen (NOR)- 0 / 0 / 0 – 32.39
3) Dan 7-T; Henk van de Pol (Hol)- 0/0/4 – 31.95
4) Rivaal; Conor Swail (IRL) – 0/4 – 82.56